Exploitation legend Norman J. Warren’s Satan’s Slave soundtrack comes to vinyl and CD from Moscovitch Records
When one thinks of full-throttle ‘70s British exploitation cinema, the name Norman J. Warren is one of the biggest, perhaps second only to Frightmare and House of Whipcord auteur Peter Walker. But while Walker’s films tend to be propelled by social commentary, Warren’s output is more single-minded in its desire to shock and titillate.
After an early career in sex films, Warren moved into horror (albeit erotic horror) with 1976’s Satan’s Slave (aka Evil Heritage), written by David McGillivray and starring U.K. genre legend and Hammer horror vet Michael Gough. Eerie, atmospheric, risqué and violent, Satan’s Slave was driven by a rather brilliant score by jazz musician John Scott. And now, that stunning soundtrack has been released by label Moscovitch Music in both gorgeously packaged 12’ vinyl and CD. This title and other Warren soundtracks were previously announced but the labels are only now surfacing. Expect the rest of the titles – including the delirious music for Warren’s 1978 flick Terror – later this year.
RELATED: Read our interview with Norman J. Warren on his film Bloody New Year
The score echoes the folk horror feel of the rural, pagan horror films of the time, like Blood on Satan’s Claw and The Wicker Man, but has an aggressive edge and often a thundering percussive spine.
The vinyl version of the album features liner notes by Warren and Moscovitch Music head Joel Martin, while the CD has an essay Scott and additional artwork. Also available from Moscovitch is the 7’ vinyl release of the first Warren/Scott collaboration Fragment, an arty short film whose music perfectly supports Warren’s black wand white rendered tale of angst
You can investigate the label further by visiting the official Moscovitch Music Facebook page.
